Why Does No One Help?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
I stopped by Blockbuster today to use our free movie coupons. Lilly was complaining a bit and acted like she didn't feel her best. So, I hurried to pick our two movies (the Guardian and Water) and then stood in line. As soon as I got there, Lilly barfed. I don't mean a little spit up or a minor barf. No - I'm talking about major barf. It was all over her, all over me, and a huge puddle on the floor. The woman in line ahead of me looked over and I said to her, "I'm going to need some help here. Can you find me some paper towels"? She looked around, didn't see any within arms reach and ignored me. I was dripping in barf and couldn't really move so, I asked for helped louder a few more times. No one seemed to hear.
So, I waited until the cashiers were done with their current customers and then got one guy's attention. I told him that the baby threw up and I needed paper towels. He gasped and said, "Oh! Paper towels! You sure do. Where do we have paper towels"? So, after a while, he brought me a roll and looked very grossed out at the idea that he might have to clean it up. So, I just took the roll and told him that I would clean it up if he could just check my movies out with the coupons for me. He was soooooooooooo relieved and scurried off.
I must have used half the roll trying to clean all the chunks off Lilly, the floor and myself. After I was finished, another guy came by with a mop and bucket. I threw the towels away - because you know, he wasn't about to touch my nicely rolled up and ball of dirty towels wrapped in clean towels!
On the way out, a woman opened the door for us and then looked disgusted and like she was about to barf at the sight of me. It all just made me smile. I'm truly a mom and I love my baby - barf and all.
This whole experience reminds me of when I was a small child. I had many surgeries and after one surgery, my mom was carrying me to the car when I suddenly barfed all over the place. She needed help and no one would help her.
Almost thirty years later nothing has changed. Barfing babies may draw stares but it sure doesn't inspire people to help!
posted by Avorie @ 5:02 PM,
2 Comments:
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At 11:42 AM,
Amanda and Tim said...
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That's AWFUL! I mean, I have/had a phobia of vomiting (long story but basically I felt awful, and I mean truly awful and guilty when I couldn't support friends being sick)but working at the nursery I have had to deal with that phobia how can anyone leave a baby who has just been sick?? Just the other day one of the babies projectile vomited all his dinner over me and him just before I went on my lunchbreak and it was truly nasty but I didn't mind because he didn't mean to do it and how can I hold it against him?
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At 11:57 AM,
Isabel said...
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I hope Lily is feeling better by now.
And for the record, I would have helped you!
